Aperture sights!

This is a discussion on Aperture sights! within the Ruger 10/22 Rimfire forums, part of the Rifle & Shotgun Forum category; Hi all,
I know this question has probably been asked a thousand times already, but I'm having a really hard time finding decent information and ...

I know this question has probably been asked a thousand times already, but I'm having a really hard time finding decent information and I couldn't think of a better way to get some real answers than from an actual Ruger forum.

I just invested in a Ruger 10/22 rifle. I'm intending on making it a dedicated target gun, but am still very new to the world of firearms in general so the learning curve is weighing down on me heavily.

Basically, I want to replace the standard open sights with an aperture sight system. I've looked around a lot and seen a couple of standard answers; both of which I have issues with.

The first was the Tech-SIGHTS TSR-100 and TSR-200. I hear a lot of positive things about these, but frankly I hate they way they look. I didn't buy an AR-15 (because I'm still saving up for it...) and I don't really want my .22LR to look like one. They seem big and bulky and completely out of place. If I -had- to use them in order to get a good aperture for a reasonable price I guess I would, but reluctantly.

The next was the Williams WGRS-RU22. I really like the way this looks and was inclined right off the bat to purchase one. Then I started reading reviews. Very commonly I hear complaints that the machining on them is terrible and requires user modification (up to and including actually filing the dovetails). Also common is the complaint that getting a zero is overly difficult because you must loosen a set of screws to adjust via drifting, which then loosen very quickly with use and are essentially impossible to secure without third-party bonding agents.

I don't know that all this effort is worth the result. I'm also not sure that as a new shooter with no experience at all with aperture sights, and no one to help me in person, I'll be -able- to make said modifications with any degree of success.

Finally, I saw a comment regarding Lyman sights as I filtered through the Williams complaints. I went to their website (Which took a while to find for some reason) and noticed that it's a completely different style of mount ("side mount"?). While it doesn't look as nice as the williams, I think I like it better than the AR-15 replica. However, I could find no real information on how well they really work, or any information on mounting one to a 10/22! Furthermore, I also have no idea what to use as a front sight with that package.

So, after the wall of text I've just erected, I'm hoping that someone can fill in the blanks for me. I know I want to use aperture sights, I just don't have enough information to make an informed decision on which one I should purchase (and in the case of the Lyman, if it's even possible to mount without gunsmithing knowledge). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

You need to understand that a front sight change is usually necessary to accommodate the change in rear sight height. Another way to go is through XS sights, you can use their low Weaver adapter with built in backup sight, which may be used with the standard front sight, depending on your sighting technique, but tapping and drilling may be required to mount the Weaver adapter.

The first was the Tech-SIGHTS TSR-100 and TSR-200. I hear a lot of positive things about these, but frankly I hate they way they look. I didn't buy an AR-15 (because I'm still saving up for it...) and I don't really want my .22LR to look like one. They seem big and bulky and completely out of place. If I -had- to use them in order to get a good aperture for a reasonable price I guess I would, but reluctantly.

They look like they function like an AR-15 sight, and that's a definate plus.
If you plan on getting an AR-15 in the future, it is really nice to have a .22 with the same style of sights to practice with.

OTOH, unless you are going to shoot at a lot of distances, you won't need to adjust it much, and a Lyman sight might serve you better. I'm not sure if a stock 10/22 warrants it, but I'm very fond of front globe sights (front hooded aperture with interchangeable reticles).

Williams- meh. They are good if you want a set it and forget it type of sight. If you are doing any kind of shooting that requires frequent changes in windage/elevation, any kind of williams sight is out.

You need to understand that a front sight change is usually necessary to accommodate the change in rear sight height. Another way to go is through XS sights, you can use their low Weaver adapter with built in backup sight, which may be used with the standard front sight, depending on your sighting technique, but tapping and drilling may be required to mount the Weaver adapter.

I don't mind changing the front sight. I assumed it was a given that I'd have to. I'm not sure that I want a "fire sight" like the williams had, though. I have one on a pellet gun and love it, but it seems like it'd be way too big on an aperture (really intend on target shooting, trying to get into competition)? Also, drilling is too much. I don't have a bench at my disposal to do it right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brimic

OTOH, unless you are going to shoot at a lot of distances, you won't need to adjust it much, and a Lyman sight might serve you better. I'm not sure if a stock 10/22 warrants it, but I'm very fond of front globe sights (front hooded aperture with interchangeable reticles).

I don't know if I'll be shooting a lot of distances, but probably not. I mean, it's just a .22, so no matter what I'm doing I know I won't be aiming more than 100 yards away anyways. Do you know anything about the install process on the Lyman? There are several models available and I don't even know which one to purchase if I do go that route.

I don't know if I'll be shooting a lot of distances, but probably not. I mean, it's just a .22, so no matter what I'm doing I know I won't be aiming more than 100 yards away anyways. Do you know anything about the install process on the Lyman? There are several models available and I don't even know which one to purchase if I do go that route.

I have a Lyman on my target .22, thought I bought it that way. Most of the Lymans need to have the receiver drilled and tapped, and possibly have the stock relieved a bit for it to fit. Lymans are good sights.

I put in an email to Lyman to see if they could answer the install questions. If it secures from the top of the receiver like I think it does, then the pre-drilled holes that come with the rifle should be sufficient for mounting... I think. The question then becomes: does the side mount interfere with the stock (I got the synthetic, but plan on changing it to a really nice thumb-hole wood laminate fairly soon).

Hopefully I get answers, because it seems like the lyman is really the best choice for those of us who don't really want the AR-15 look.

The thread starter didn't like the appearance of the Tech-Sights TSR 200. Of course, that's a matter of personal preference. I just installed the TSR 200 on a 20/22 carbine and I like the appearance. So far, I really like the sights, too.

The gun pictured below has the following modifications:
Hornett Trigger Group with auto-bolt release
Swivels and a sling
Tech-Sights TSR 200.
Used a Dremel to remove enough of the barrel band so that it does not contact the barrel.

The stock rear sight is folded down -- I don't intend to remove it (and not sure how to remove it).

The first was the Tech-SIGHTS TSR-100 and TSR-200. I hear a lot of positive things about these, but frankly I hate they way they look. I didn't buy an AR-15 (because I'm still saving up for it...) and I don't really want my .22LR to look like one. They seem big and bulky and completely out of place. If I -had- to use them in order to get a good aperture for a reasonable price I guess I would, but reluctantly.

If the only reason you don't like this option is because you think it looks like it's from an AR-15, then perhaps your solution lies in altering your perspective a bit (which is free ). For example, would it help you any if you viewed it not as an AR-15 sight, but as a version of perhaps two of the most popular and famous rifles of WWII?

If the only reason you don't like this option is because you think it looks like it's from an AR-15, then perhaps your solution lies in altering your perspective a bit (which is free ). For example, would it help you any if you viewed it not as an AR-15 sight, but as a version of perhaps two of the most popular and famous rifles of WWII?

Nice post and well said, these are what I think of when I see the Tech-SIGHTS TSR-100 and TSR-200. Matter of fact I was going to use these sights with an M1 carbine 10/22 stock I've been oogling.

I've had very good luck with the receiver-mounted Williams rear sight, the one that clamps onto the sight rail. The machining is good, I saw no need to modify the sight itself, and it holds zero just fine if you pay attention to the small lock screws for the windage and elevation that are just below the adjustment knobs. Be careful about these screws - on one Williams I bought, both the screws were missing. That makes the sight unusable.

The set screws end in small points that engage the windage and elevation adjustments, so that they go up and down when you turn the knobs. So don't loosen the screws very much, just enough to let you do your adjustments. Once you're sighted in, tighten them up and you should never need to mess with them again, if you know how to do Kentucky windage.

The neat thing about the Lyman sights is that they come with a set of reticles, or 'inserts', in the package. Choose the one you like the best. You can also buy reticles separately, and I've found I like the ones that come from Lee Shaver the best.